New System Configs (A Stranger Needs Help)

[cauldar1971]

For the last year, I have been planning an affordable replacement for my Gateway PII 333Mhz with a new system that I would build. In January, I will finally be able to afford a ~$1000 system. I'm going to cannibalize my old system (DVD-ROM, CD-RW, floppy drive, monitor, keyboard, mouse) and just buy core components.

This system is going to be used for video editing (as professional as I can manage with my Digital 8 camera) and occasional gaming (Warcraft III/Medal of Honor type of stuff).

I have debated AMD vs. INTEL and I am currently leaning towards AMD.

Here is my potential AMD system:
Case: Enermax, FS-710B
CPU: XP 2400+
Motherboard: ASUS A7N8X (or A7V8X, which is better?)
Memory: CORSAIR PC3200 512MB
Hard Drive: IBM 120GB 7200RPM
Graphics Card: GAINWARD GeForce 4 Ti4200 128MB
Sound Card: NONE (will use motherboard-integrated)
@ Newegg: $975.00

As an alternative option, my potential INTEL system:
Case: Enermax, FS-710B
CPU: Pentium 4 2.4BGhz
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-8IHXP2
Memory: KINGSTON RAMBUS PC1066 256MB (x2)
Hard Drive: IBM 120GB 7200RPM
Graphics Card: GAINWARD GeForce 4 Ti4200 128MB
Sound Card: Voyetra Turtle Beach Santa Cruz
@ Newegg: $1,181.00

The INTEL system has been harder for me to configure because their chipsets keep shifting and the all the reviews/specs become confusing to a non-hardcore techie (like me) after a while. I've been considering the ASUS P4T533 i850E motherboard for the Intel system as well.

If you have read this far, I thank you and would love any feedback.

Peace,
Cauldar

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by cauldar1971 on 12/12/02 08:01 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[cauldar1971]

I don't know- maybe this isn't the right forum for this. I was just looking for a little input.

 

[halkebul]

Hello. I like the AMD setup out of the two choices:

Power supply: Enermax 431W EG465P-VE(FMA) power supply
Case: Chieftec case ~$50
CPU: XP 2400+
Motherboard: ASUS A7N8X Deluxe
Memory: <A HREF="http://www.coldconcept.com/default.php/cPath/39_42/osCsid/bacb71282522ff2370ab505db85302d5" target="_new">Two OCZ PC3200 256MB Enhanced Latency (EL) memory modules</A>
Hard Drive: Western Digital Special Edition Hard Drive
Graphics Card: Albatron TI4280P graphics card
Sound Card: NONE (will use motherboard-integrated)

Cheers!

<A HREF="http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=527833#527833" target="_new">Official Asus A7N8X Thread</A>

<i>It's your world kid!!!</i><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by halkebul on 12/13/02 10:12 AM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[Spitfire_x86]

Go for the AMD setup.

For HD, buy Western Digital Special Edition (7200 rpm, 8 MB Buffer)

Buy two 256 MB ram instead of one 512 MB ram.

For graphics card, you can buy a Radeon 9500 Pro BBA for just $198 which is a better than GeForce4 Ti4600

Let us know <A HREF="http://forumz.tomshardware.com/community/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=25703#25703" target="_new"> What File compression format you use? </A>

 

[cauldar1971]

Thanks for the input.

You know, that's interesting about the hard drives, I've been back-and-forth about what brand to use. I've been hearing so many mixed messages RE: WD and Maxtor's reliability. So many people have raved about IBM drives but, I'd heard that they were discontinuing production. Now I hear that there's a 180MB drive out from them. Are they in or out?

 

[halkebul]

The IBM 180GB w/8MB cache is at newEgg.com. Cost about the same as the Western Digital Special Edition 180GB drive. They're both fast. But, $280 for a hard drive? I would go with 80GB min and 120GB max. Western Digital Special Edition hard drives in both cases. 80GB is plenty of space.

<i>It's your world kid!!!</i>

 

[cauldar1971]

Cool. Thanks for the input.

I've been hearing that Intel's planning price drops on their CPUs at the end of February. Has anyone else heard about this? I know that one can wait forever for price drops but would this be worth the wait?

 

[halkebul]

A new Dual-channel DDR dream memory module is now available. Purchasable from <A HREF="http://www.coldconcept.com/default.php/cPath/39_42/osCsid/bacb71282522ff2370ab505db85302d5" target="_new">here</A>. I'll update my specs once again to reflect this.

<i>It's your world kid!!!</i>

 

[halkebul]

When intel releases a processor faster than the 3.06GHz P4 (think it's 3.2GHz), the 3.06GHz P4 will certainly drop in price as it will no longer be the fastest on the market and no longer the only P4 with Hyperthreading enabled. Not sure how 2.8GHz and lower will be affected. The higher clocked processor prices will be lowered more (percentage wise) than the lower clocked processors when P4 3.2(or whatever it's called) is available.

<i>It's your world kid!!!</i>

 

[EViLJeSuS]

I wouldn't go for either !
I'd get an Intel 2.4ish on a DDR400 capable board with RAID and two 60Gig hard drives , which would be nice for the video editing ;o)
Get realy good memory Cl2 PC3200 for overclocking and bandwidth . Cheaper , more future proof and equal performance more or less when clocked up .
XP2400 will clock up to XP2600 speed maybe but a 2.4 will maybe do 2.9 on air likely to edge it any way.....

wadya fink ?

XP2200 (unlocked 190mhz x 10)
Corsair Platignum PC3200 512mb
Ti4200 @ 320/570mhz
Creative Live! 5.1
Creative 5300 speakers
Proview 19"
Gigabyte GA-7VAXP
i-Art Eye3D 4in1 Stereoscopic glasses
2 x Maxtor ATA133 40 Gig drives

SSSSminesssssminesssssmine;o}

 

[feedben]

I think factors other than just the processor or mobo may effect you decision.
If you are going to do video editing then you will need to add a couple of things.
A capture card to get the video onto the pc.
If you stick to just digital video (DV) then a simple iee1394 (firewire) card is all you need. I would sugest the ADS pyro platinum dv this comes bundled with the full version of Adobe Premiere (normally $600) for around $200. The card is worth about $79 by itself)

If your camera does not support dv out. Then you will need a real capture card (turns the analog signal to digital) These range from the ATI all-in-wonder type cards (matrox G400 etc) with video in to the semi pro >$1000 stuff. I am not sure if the Gainward has video in - something to check though.)Pinnacle, dazzle et al provide some alternatives also.

If you want to take video editing seriously then you will need two drives. A system drive running the programs and another drive for the video files etc. Suggest the WD 80Gb special edition. (1 hour of video is about 12Gb)

To save money if you get the Gigabyte 81hxp you do not need the additional sound card - the mobo has one built in.

In my mind there is no question that the P4 solution is the fastest.

Good luck with whatever you choose.